Not your average Principals' report

Take 2 

Sitting here with my newly acquired face mask, I have to say that this has been the most extraordinary year, I have ever experienced professionally and personally. We hear terms such as “embrace change, be flexible and move outside your comfort zone”, but I am not sure we are meant to do them all at the same time. But we are, and without a safety net. 

Our staff, both teaching and administration, have done an outstanding job of transitioning to a remote learning environment for the second time, whilst keeping Great Ryrie Primary School doors open, for our essential workers. 

The upside of this is that when we get through this extraordinary period, our options for delivering our content, engaging our students, and building relationships will be forever enhanced. Our updated website and social media platforms, including our new Facebook page, are regularly updated with news and highlights from the school community. Please enjoy exploring these channels to stay connected to us.  

We want our students to know that we haven’t gone anywhere. We are merely waiting in the wings until it is safe enough to be back in the classroom. Students are our purpose, so we feel a little lost without them too. If things are becoming too challenging at home, please let us know as we are here to help.

I hope you will keep connected with your friends and loved ones, and stay safe.

Karen and Melissa 

Not your average Principals'😊

Please share some Home Learning adventures -the good, the bad and the ugly to my email address with photographs, if you would like to appear in the next newsletter edition.

Karen.rouda@education.vic.com.au 

Helping Children Manage Worry and Anxiety

As we all move through these challenging times together, parents, carers and teachers have the responsibility of supporting the young people in their care as they grapple with rapid change and uncertainty, which can be especially tough for kids. Mindfulness is an active, practical and appropriate response to the sense of overwhelm many of us are currently feeling.  

Last term, staff began their own journey into mindfulness through professional learning facilitated by Smiling Mind and will continue this learning while working remotely this term. When students return, we are looking forward to incorporating mindfulness into our classrooms using a consistent practice across the school.  Whilst they are learning from home, it would be a great opportunity for families to introduce the concept of mindfulness, if you haven't already, and give our students further support to cope with the uncertain times we find ourselves in. 

The modules that are attached below this video, support parents and carers to recognise worry and anxiety in children, and help them learn techniques that can provide immediate relief. We encourage you to download the age group appropriate and complete some of the activities at home. The video below is a simple representation of mindfulness for students.

Act of Kindness from the Dashwood Family

Once upon a time there was a family at GRPS who were so tired of seeing the very sad, dilapidated, ragged basketball nets hanging from the rings.

One afternoon they decided to take action , purchasing new nets and secretly attaching them in the cover of darkness to surprise the children and teachers at GRPS.

There was excitement in the air as the children admired and eagerly tried out the new nets. There was approval from all, and the act of kindness was greatly appreciated. 

We all lived happily ever after....

Thank you to Julia and Trent for your gift, and from all of us at Great Ryrie we would like to say you are greatly appreciated.